Not many people would mess with Jenkins, the Jets’ massive nose tackle, but Woody showed remarkable bravery . . . or stupidity, depending on your perspective. He grabbed an air horn and unleashed a blast a few feet away from the literal sleeping giant.

“I couldn’t resist,” Woody said with a smile.

Woody is not afraid of much. The 31-year-old showed no fear when he signed with the Jets as a free agent last winter, agreeing to move to right tackle, a position he’d barely played before.

The move has worked out well for Woody and the Jets. He’s been a key cog of the Jets’ revamped line and a vast improvement over last year’s starter Anthony Clement.

Woody began his career as a center with New England, where he was a Pro Bowler and a two-time Super Bowl champion. He moved to the Lions and right guard in 2004.

Things bottomed out for Woody in Detroit during the 2006 season when he missed most of the year with an injured foot. His weight ballooned to 370 pounds, and he knew he had to do something.

That offseason, Woody went to the Duke Weight Loss Center for a six-week stay that cost about $12,000 and altered his life.

“It just changed everything,” Woody said. “It allowed me to focus not just on football, but life after football. That was the main thing about that. I wanted to be able to do things with my kids and just be around for a long time. It definitely helped me on the football field, too, getting lighter.”

Woody lost 40 pounds and changed his lifestyle. He cut down on the junk food and began to make changes in his daily life. Not that he has become a vegetarian. When the Jets were in San Francisco last week, he made sure to stop in at In-N-Out-Burger.

“You’re on the West Coast, that’s something you’ve got to do,” Woody said jokingly.

It’s not unusual to see Woody smiling in the Jets’ locker room. The Virginia native has enjoyed being back on the West Coast and out of football perdition in Detroit.

“It feels good to be able to play for something important in December,” Woody said.

Woody was familiar to coach Eric Mangini because they were together in New England.

“Damien was an excellent center when we were in New England,” Mangini said. “He was really outstanding – unique feet, rare strength, very stout, moved out to guard and moved out to tackle. It’s really a good indication of how versatile and athletic he is.”

He may have to display that athleticism in the locker room. Jenkins was not happy with Woody’s air horn stunt and has vowed revenge.

“That wasn’t cool,” Jenkins said. “Woody is a little bit more laid back than everybody else. I would have expected that from Brett but not Damien. Now he’s put himself in the game, so he has to roll with the punches now.”